Adverse reactions to anticholinergic agents used in the management of obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract

SummaryMuscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists are widely used in the management of obstructive airways disease. There nevertheless exists only limited evidence that these receptor antagonists improve prognosis and their use is complicated by systemic adverse reactions affecting many organ systems. Contemporary anticholinergic agents cause fewer adverse reactions and have lower systemic bioavailability than their predecessors, yet their use may be associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.